New cancer centre coming to Red Deer

September 22, 2010

RED DEER – Alberta Health Services (AHS) officially broke ground today on the Central Alberta Cancer Centre (CACC), a new cancer care facility that will serve all of Central Alberta and offer radiation therapy for the first time in the area.

The new $46-million facility is part of the Government of Alberta’s “Health Capital Plan – Phase One” announced by Health and Wellness Minister Gene Zwozdesky on July 21. An additional $13.56 million dollars was provided from the Government of Canada, for total funding of $59.56 million. The new CACC will be about three times the size of the existing centre, with added treatment and examination rooms, outpatient clinics, a medical day unit, radiation therapy and a pharmacy.

The centre is part of a provincewide strategy to open a corridor of cancer care treatment centres across Alberta: the Lethbridge Cancer Centre (which opened in June); the Central Alberta Cancer Centre (for which ground was broken today); and the Grande Prairie Cancer Centre (which will be built as part of the new Grande Prairie Hospital). Combined with existing facilities in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta’s Radiation Therapy Corridor will improve access for all Albertans, no matter where they live. Until recently, radiation therapy was only provided in Edmonton and Calgary.

“Having a support network nearby is vital for patients fighting cancer,” said Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach. “Leaving your family and community for cancer treatment is a real hardship – financially and emotionally. This new facility is another big step that brings cancer care closer to home as we continue to provide more accessible radiation therapy across the province.”

“This will be a state-of-the-art facility where central Albertans will be able to access top quality care,” said Ken Hughes, AHS board chair. “Albertans should – and will – be able to receive quality cancer care closer to their communities. This, in turn, will relieve pressure at other Alberta cancer facilities and improve access for all Albertans.”

The new facility will offer treatment for multiple cancers, including lung, breast, gastrointestinal and prostate. Funding for operational costs of the new CACC will be part of the Government’s commitment to a “5-Year Funding Plan” for AHS.

“Fighting cancer is stressful enough without having to travel for treatment and leave your loved ones behind,” said Stacy Larsen, a local cancer patient who recently travelled to Edmonton for radiation therapy. “I am very pleased that the cancer centre in Red Deer is expanding. All of central Alberta will benefit.”

Alberta Health Services is working with Alberta Health and Wellness and Alberta Infrastructure to help build facilities across the province, and to provide accessible, sustainable, quality health care for all Albertans. With nearly $5 billion in provincial funding invested in active construction currently, there are more than 1,000 projects in various stages of completion in every zone of the province.

Taking into account the diverse needs of Albertans, AHS – with funding from the Government of Alberta – is strategically investing in the health system to support patients and communities to stay healthy and manage illness effectively.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.7 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.